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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffConstipation in children is more likely for kids who:
- Are sedentary
- Don't eat enough fiber
- Don't drink enough fluids
- Take certain medications, including some antacids and antidepressants
- Have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
- Have a medical condition affecting the anus or rectum
- Have a family history of constipation
In addition, constipation is slightly more common in boys than in girls.
References
- Constipation in children. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/print/sec20/ch283/ch283f.html. Accessed July 15, 2011.
- Kay M, et al. Common gastrointestinal problems in pediatric patients. American College of Gastroenterology. http://www.acg.gi.org/patients/gihealth/pdf/pediatric.pdf. Accessed July 15, 2011.
- Constipation in children. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/constipationchild/index.htm. Accessed July 15, 2011.
- Ferry GD. Treatment of chronic functional constipation and fecal incontinence in infants and children. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 15, 2011.
- Ferry GD. Constipation in children: Etiology and diagnosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 15, 2011.
- Pijpers MA, et al. Currently recommended treatments of childhood constipation are not evidence based: A systematic literature review on the effect of laxative treatment and dietary measures. Archives of Diseases In Childhood. 2009;94:117.
- Blackmer AB, et al. Constipation in the pediatric patient: An overview and pharmacologic considerations. Journal of Pediatric Health Care. 2010;24:385.
- Culbert TP, et al. Integrative approaches to childhood constipation and encopresis. The Pediatrics Clinics of North America. 2007;54:927.
- Walia R, et al. Recent advances in chronic constipation. Current Opinion in Pediatrics. 2009;21:661.
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